One Swell Engagement - Alexa & William

I always love hearing my customers' love stories, so when I received an email with a link to a blog post about a customer's proposal, I was THRILLED!

Here is Alexa & William's story in her words...

I know I don't share too much personal stuff here in blogland, but I wanted to share with you the big news of my engagement to my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years William! I knew this was coming for a while, but I had no clue when and I really wasn't expecting it to happen at the beach, but it did. He's a sneaky little fella!

Since it had been his week off from spring break, he had planned a couple night getaway for us. Everyone at work kept teasing me saying it was going to happen, but I still wasn't getting worked up over it. I've always been very rational and not tried to get overly excited for something in fear of disappointment. To me, if it happened, it would happen, and if it didn't that would be ok too.

On Friday night, we got in late to town in Morro Bay and most everything, but the restaurants were closed. We had a nice dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Morro Bay Rock. It was absolutely beautiful. It's been a couple years since I've made my way to the coast, so it was special!

On Saturday, we checked out the town and the shops, then went to Pismo to the pier and beach. We hung out at the pier for a while. Everything was so nice and relaxing. Not a care in the world. Afterward, we walked the beach and went to sit by the sand dunes. We were talking, laughing and enjoying our time. Before I knew it, William started talking about spending the rest of our lives together and he asked me to marry him! He pulled out the ring (I had picked it out on Etsy a few months back) and of course I said YES! I think he had to ask twice just to make sure, though. He's the best thing to have ever happened to me and he's my best friend. I love him so much and it's so amazing to feel his love in return. He even made me emotional and made me cry (for those who know me well, this is a very rare feat.) Haha, William's always looking over to see if I'm crying in sad parts of movies, most of the time I'm not.

Anyway, that's our story. I love my ring and I'm so excited to get to share the rest of my life with him. He truly is an amazing person. We have so much in common. We have the same sense of humor and I love his boyish charm and compassion for others. He really is my perfect match. Some may say we even look a little alike. All the best couples do, don't you think :)

A detail of my ring from Etsy seller Danielle Miller jewelry. Her rings and jewelry designs are SO unique!

And for the curious, we did meet on EHarmony. I really didn't think I would meet my soulmate online! Maybe we should be in one of those goofy commercials. I better get Neil Clark Warren on the line!

Thank you Alexa for sharing your lovely story! Hop on over to her DYI blog for some crafty, creative inspiration: The Swell Life.

Rowena and Zack

Thanks to Rowena for sharing her love story and for writing this post for me....

Rowena and Zack met while students at Oxford University. Originally from the States, Zack stayed on in London after grad school and two years later he popped the question at the couple’s favourite place, the tropical conservatory at the Barbican Centre in London. Zack wanted Rowena to choose a ring that was just right for her so he proposed with a little silver bow to remind her to go out and find her perfect ring. That’s where Danielle came in! She created a beautiful (and eminently wearable!) ring with a chiseled silver band, one large black rose cut diamond set in a 18k yellow gold bezel and the second tiny white brilliant cut diamond set in a 14k rose gold bezel.
Having moved to the States for Rowena to attend grad school, Zack re-proposed at his childhood relaxation spot, Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu, California with the dream ring now in hand!

Danielle has also designed and created Rowena and Zack's wedding bands for their 2012 wedding at Boston’s Museum of Science.

14k yellow gold & 950 Palladium Reverse Radius Wedding Rings

Congratulations to Rowena & Zack! May your life together be filled with love, laughter and happiness!

Recent Custom Pieces...

Once again, I have neglected to keep up with my blogging. I am going to try my best to regularly post in this upcoming year. So to start it off, I will share a recent custom order I made...

A lovely repeat (& local!) customer liked my Geometric Series and wanted me to create a pendant and earring set using rubies from an old ring.
This was my initial sketch for her:

After a few meetings and a final sketch, this was the final product:
Sterling silver, 18k gold, pearl and rubies

She loved it! I am grateful to have such a lovely, kind and patient client! :)

Elaine and Waylon

Artists Elaine and Waylon met a an iron pour in Brevard, NC in 2006. Fast forward 4 years, 4 states, one BFA, one MFA and another MFA in the works...and Waylon proposed in dramatic fashion at an 300 lb sand mold iron pour in Kentucky, much like the one they met at earlier.

Fast forward 8 months later...

A picture perfect wedding occurred!

I am honored to have made the rings which represents their enduring love.

Elaine's engagement ring is sterling, 18k gold, tsavorite and diamonds.

Her wedding ring is a "chiseled" sterling band.

Waylon's ring is "chiseled" palladium band.

Elaine, a talented ceramic artist, made the centerpiece platters, the cupcake tier and all the dessert plates! With the couples names and wedding date inscribed on the bottom, the sweet little dessert plates not only served yummy cupcakes, but also served as the guests' favor. Elaine and her friends also handmade the lovely paper flowers arrangements for the centerpieces.

CONGRATULATIONS to the beautiful and talented couple...Elaine and Waylon! Wishing you both the happily ever after that you deserve.

Photopgraphy by Ryan Bumgarner

Elaine Quave, ceramic artist/sculptor

Waylon Bigsby, sculptor

Some recent special orders

An apology is in order....I have been preoccupied with some big projects that have been time and energy consuming so my blogging has suffered terrible neglect.

So where do I begin? How do I get back into the blogging groove?

I guess I'll start with a quick post about some special orders I made this summer...

This was a 950 Palladium and 18k yellow gold engagement ring with antique diamond passed down by the customer's grandmother.

This was a custom ring I made for a customer who was entering a 2nd marriage. The 12 stones are birthstones of the husband, wife and 10 children...2 families uniting into one.

This was a custom pair of cufflinks I made using the customer's gorgeous Tahitian pearls.

A customer had purchased my Abacus Bracelet #5 and discovered it was just a tad too long for her. I removed a link and turned it into a pendant.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more frequent posts and to hear about those big projects that have been keeping me busy!

Have snow, will marry...

I love when my customers share their love stories.
While snowshoeing in the Adirondacks, he proposed.
Naturally, she accepted.
How romantic!

Blackened sterling silver, 14k white gold, .25 ct chocolate diamond